When Price Doesn't Matter: Audiophile Turntables

For some, the nostalgia and warmer sound offered by vinyl records surpass the ubiquity and convenience of digital formats. Now, if money is not an issue, there's a niche of turntables designed for the discerning audiophile, built with materias and features which bridge yesterday's audio medium to today's modern requirements.

Rega RP3Based around a lightweight plinth base, covered in extremely lightweight phenolic resin, the RP3 is slim, minimal and modern. The turntable features "DB Technology" (double brace), which sits between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing, being more effective at preventing unwanted resonances from the deck's motor and the bearing being absorbed by the record while playing. The RB303 tonearm features a rigid tube to the bearing housing, carrier and headshell, offering almost friction free movement. $895.00 - $1,095.00, depending upon color/finish and needle.

Oracle Paris MkVWith a gorgeous look and finish and an amazing craftsmanship on the tonearm with carbon fiber, the Oracle Paris is one of our favorites... and we are going by looks alone! This is a complete "no fuss" player that looks very conservative and conventional that performs at professional levels. Silicone-fluid damping system and three layer construction plinth, complement the solid carbon fiber tonearm and the groove for the belt driven plate. Built-in control electronics and AC motor identical to the top of the line Delphi MkVI, speed switching is done by pressing a neat pair of buttons. We are digging the screw down record clamp.

Avid Diva II SPMade mostly of machine aluminum due in part for its properties of absorbing unwanted vibrations. Also, the low density and self lubricating bearing system, ensures that all vibration is eliminated while playing a record. It uses state of the art Digital Signal processing engine, which take the variations in the mains to make an even torrent of power direct to the motor. You can even calibrate that to achieve the exact platter speed. A twin belt drive will control the platter dynamics and stability under playing load. The result is a very smooth and dynamic sound quality.